Social Learning Therapy
Albert Bandura is one of the most influential social learning theorists. He developed the social cognitive theory or social learning theory. This theory emphasizes the idea that individuals learn by observing others. Goals
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Goal Setting
1. Describe the Problem Behavior
- Describe the behavior in specific and measurable terms 2. Establish a Baseline - Counselors determine a baseline by figuring out how to measure the behavior and ways record the measurement. 3. Determine Goals - Goals should be "meaningful, clear specific, measurable, and achievable" (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014, p. 340). 4. Develop Strategies to Facilitate Change - These strategies should help the client understand their problem behavior, develop skills specific to his or her needs, control impulsivity, and reinforce efforts already made. 5. Implement the Plan - Put the strategies into play and make notes about anything that facilitates or hinders the plan 6. Assess Progress and Evaluate the Success of the Plan -Counselors should regularly monitor progress to ensure the plan is working, and make changes where necessary 7. Reinforce Successes & Promote Empowerment - Clinicians can supply social reinforcement and clients can also provide their own reinforcement for positive changes 8. Continue the Process & Make Plans to Promote Maintenance of Gains and Prevent Relapse - Fix problems that need to be fixed -Implement any clients new goals -Or continue the course and work on preventing relapse |
Techniques
Acting as if - When confronting a challenging situation the individual needs to act as if they can handle it and they will.
Example: Children acting as superheroes when they are getting some kind of medical treatment Activity Scheduling - Plan activities that are rewarding, having the schedule provides focus and direction, and can limit the time for negative behaviors. Example: Scheduling time to go outside for a physical activity. This limits the time for sleeping or watching TV and prevents isolation. Aversion Therapy - Linking undesirable behaviors with negative experiences. Example: Time-outs for children |
Behavioral Rehearsal - Practice a challenging task for opportunities for feedback and improvement.
Example: Role-playing a challenging conversation with the therapist, or practicing in the mirror Biofeedback -Instruments that measure bodily functions such as heart rate, sweat gland activity, and pulse rate. Promotes reductions in tension and anxiety and can help lower blood pressure and improve pain control. It has been used for brain injuries, sleep disorders, ADHD, and depression. Contracting - A clear agreement between the client and counselor about goals that have been set. Provides direction and motivation. |
Diaphragmatic Breathing - Focus on slow deep breaths in order to relax or induce sleep. Breathe in through the nose and out the mouth.
Example: When a client is filled with anxiety from the day and can't get to sleep deep breathing can help relax them. Exposure - Repeated contact with a feared or avoided stimulus resulting in adaptation. Example: If a client is afraid of spiders they can be exposed repeatedly and eventually it will no longer phase him or her. Expressive and Creative Activities - Art, dance, and music therapy are incorporated to enable people to become more aware of their emotions. Especially beneficial for those who are not good at verbalizing their thoughts. Reasonable (Natural) Consequences -Consequences that are logical outcomes for undesirable behavior
Example: Being fired for continuously showing up to work late Reinforcements -Reinforcements and rewards encourage positive behavior. They must be realistic and equivalent to the positive behavior. Example: Giving a child $3 for doing a chore rather than an entire video game Relaxation - Breathing, hypnosis, progressive muscle relaxation, simple exercises, and visual imagery. Relaxation techniques can help reduce a client's anxiety Skill Training - Learn skills such as assertiveness, decision making, problem solving, communication skills, or any other skills necessary to gain a more desired behavior.
Token Economies - Used to change a broad range of behaviors in a group of people. Guidelines are laid out for all to see and understand, each person's performance is recorded, and a system of rewards is developed. The rewards a saved up to use towards privelages. |
Extinction - Withdrawing the payoff of an undesirable behavior in hopes of reducing or eliminating it.
Example: Coaching parents to pay attention to positive behavior more than negative behavior. Flooding - Clients are exposed to high doses of a feared stimulus. Example: Putting a person in open water when they are terrified of it. Modeling - People are most likely to be influenced by models and there are 5 different types:
Shaping - Gradually working toward an ultimate desired positive behavior.
Example: Spend 5-10 minutes at the pool --> Spend 5-10 minutes sitting next to the pool --> Spend 5-10 minutes with your feet in the pool --> Spend 5-10 minutes with your legs in the pool --> etc. until the client can be in the pool entirely |
Examples
Information provided by:
Seligman, L. & Reichenberg, L. (2014). Theories of counseling and psychotherapy: Systems, strategies, and skills. (4th ed). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.
Seligman, L. & Reichenberg, L. (2014). Theories of counseling and psychotherapy: Systems, strategies, and skills. (4th ed). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.